Machine for producing clothespin



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Charles Forney, Norfolk, Va., assignor to The Diamond Match Company,New York, N. Y., a corporation of D la ar United States Patent F 1 Original application February 25., 194.8, Serial No. 10,855.

Divided and this application July25, 1952, Serial No. 300,863" 1 ticularly to the forming of spring sub-assemblies and assembling said sub as semblies with clothes pin clamping t memberssoas to form a completely assembled. clothes pin comprising two clamping members and a spring.

This application is a division of copending application Serial No. 10,855, filed February 25, 1948, entitled Productionof Clothes Pinsf which has matured into Patent No. 2,702,058. Prior clothes pin machines, including U. S. Patent #l,8 30,02l, grantedNovember 3, 1931, to Charles Forney did not include anymechanism for making the spring sub-assembly and as generally in accordance with the prior art it was required that these spring sub-assemblies be supplied from some outside source, whereas inaccordance with the instantinvention, the machine is suppliedwith spring wire in its basic form and the machine fabricates the spring sub-assembly and in timed relation efiects the assembly with the remaining clothes pin parts to make up the finished clothes pin automatically.

It is an object of the instant invention to teach the v automatic and substantially continuous manufacture and assembly of clothes pins comprising clamping members and a spring sub-assembly.

It is another object of the instant invention to position and move the various sub-assemblies of a multi part clothes pin in timed relation so that final assembly is obtained automatically and substantially continuously.

Other objects and the nature and advantages of the instant invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: v

Fig. l is a side elevation of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan View;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of a portion the machine;

Fig. 4 is a plan View of the portion of the machine shown in Fig. 3; i

Fig. 5 is a section taken approximately on the line 13-13 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 with the parts in a different position;

Fig. 7 is a section taken approximately on the line -15 of Fig. 4;

' Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 with the elements in a different operating position; i I

Fig. 9 is a partial view similar to Fig. 7 with the parts in a third position; t

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional detail taken approximately on the linev 18 -18 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 11 is a section taken approximately on, the line 19-19 of Fig. 3; I

Fig. 12 is a section taken approximately on the line :40 of Fig. 11; Y

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the guide plate;

-Fig. 14 ,isa sectional detail of a portion of the maice chine similar in general to Fig. 6 with the parts in a different position;

Fig. 15 is an end velevation of the machine showing a portion of the drive;

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic front elevation of the machine illustrating the various treatment steps;

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating the treatment steps;

Fig. 18 is a detail illustration of the cooperation of the spring and presser foot during partially advanced position;

Fig. 19 is a detail view of the spring prior to assembly with the pin; v

Figs. 20 to 25, inclusive, are diagrammatic illustrations of certain of the operating cycles;

Fig. 26 is a plan View of a portion of the machine incorporating the wire making apparatus;

Fig. 27 is a side elevation of the portion of the ma-' chine shown in Fig. 26; i

Fig. 28 is a section taken generally along the line 4242of Fig. 26;

Fig. 29 is an enlarged detail of a portion ofthe machine showing the wire in position prior to bending;

Fig. 30 is a view similar to Fig. 29 with the parts" in position after the first bending step;

Fig. 31 is a section taken on the linedS-d-S of Fig. 30;

Fig. 32 is a view. similar to Fig. 31 illustrating the parts of the apparatus towards the end ofthe bending operation; i I Fig. 33 is a view similar to Figs. 29 and 30 illustrating the position of the parts after the final bending operation;

Fig. 34 is a diagrammatic illustration showing the bending gears and wire at an intermediate stage of bending;-and

Fig. 35 is a view similar to Fig. 34 illustrating the posi tion of the bending gears during a stage of bending equiva' lent t0 that shownin Fig. 32. y c

Referring to the drawings and particularly Fig. l, the pin forming machine of the present invention is indi cated in general at 10. The machine is supported by a plurality of legs 11, 12, and 13 which support a bed platell. Supported from the bed plate 14 is a magazine 15, a plurality of saws 16, the wire forming mechanism indicated in general at Wand the wire and pin assembling mechanism indicated ingeneral at 18. The machine also iucludesa pluralityof transfer mechanisms for moving the blanks to the saws, moving the sawed pins to the wire and pin assembling mechanism and supplying spring wire, at properly timed intervals to thepins, as will be hereinafter set forth in detail. Y I

The pin feed and assembly 155. The shaft 152 is supported by the bearing 156,

and the's haft 155, as best shown in Figs. 5 and 7, is supported by the bearings 157 and 158 carried by the hanger 159 and the bed plate 14, respectively. The shaft'155 also carries a ratchet 160 provided with ratchet teeth 161. A pawl 162 is providedpivoted at 163 to the bell crank lever 164 which is pivoted on the shaft 155. The pawl 1 62 is provided with a nose 165 which fits between the teeth 161. The pawl 162 also carries a pin 166 which fits within a cam slot 167 in a cam lever 168. t The cam lever 168 is also pivoted on the shaft 155. The end of the bell cranklever 164 remote from the pivot 163 is pivoted at 169 to a rod 170 which is connected at its other end as at 171 to a lever 172 pivoted at 173 to a standard 174. The

Patented May 22,, 1956,

. 3 intermediate portion lever172 is provided with a roller 175 op"erating in a suitable cam slot in the cam 176. The cam lever 168 is similarly pivotally connected as at 177 to one end of a rod 178 which is connected at its other end as at179 to a lever 180 which is also pivotally supported by the standard 174 at 181 (see Fig. 3 The lever 180 also carries a roller 182 which cooperates with a second suitable cam slot in the cam 176. The cam 176 is mounted for rotation with the right-hand lateral drive shaft 183. The shaft 183 is driven by means of the bevel gears 184 and 185 from the shaft 186. The shaft 186 is provided with a cam gear 187 which serves to drive a wire bending mechanism illustrated in general at W. In

addition, the gear 187 is provided with a cam slot on its face which cooperates with a pin 188 on a slide'189. The end of the slide 189 carries a pin 190 which fits into a suitable opening in the sprocket wheel 156 so that as the chain has carried a pin assembly into proper position the chain is stopped in this position until the pin 190 is withdrawn, as shown in Fig. 14. The shaft 186 also carries a cam 191 for rotation therewith provided with a pair of cam slots 192 and 193 on each face thereof. The slot 192 cooperates with the pin 194 carried on a slide 195 which carries on its end remote from the pin 194 a pin contacting transfer plate 196. The transfer plate is connected to the slide in a manner similar to the transfer plate 27 so that it will be capable of adjustment.

The cam slot 193 cooperates with 'a pin 200 which is carried on a rocker arm 201 pivoted to the standard202 at 203. The rocker arm 201 carries at its end remote from the pin 200. 21 depending finger 204 which functions as a'stop for the pin assembly when it is moved from the chaininto assembly position, as shown in Fig. 5.

As best shown in Figs. 4 and 6, when the plate 196 moves the pin assembly, it is guided by the cam fingers 206 and 205 into position between the jaws 207 and 208 at its rearward end and beneath the jaw clamp 209 at its forward end; the lower forward end of the pin being supported on the fixed ledge 210. The jaw 208 is urged upwardly by the spring 211 and the jaw 207 is urged downwardly by the spring 212. Similarly, the clamp 209 is urged downwardly by the spring 213 which pushes upwardly on the rearward end of the clamp 209 beyond the pivot 214. It is to be noted that the clamp members 207 and 208 are'pivoted at 215 and 216, respectively, within the supporting member indicated in general at 217. As the pin assembly is moved into the position just described, it is also moved between the spring spreader members 218 and 219. As best shown in Figs. and 11, the spring spreader members 218 and 219 are pivoted at 220 and 221, respectively, to supporting blocks 222 and 223, respectively. The spreaders 218 and 219 are also urged towards each other by the springs 224 and 225.

Referring to Fig. 7, the pin assembly is shown in position and a single spring indicated in general at S has just been fed to the machine down the post 230. At the lower end'of the post the spring is positioned upon a guide plate 231 provided with grooves 232 and 233 (Fig. 13). As

shown in Figs. 7 and 18, one of the coils 234 is within the long groove 232. A push rod 235 is reciprocated to move the spring along the guide plate 231 and under the presser foot 236. The presser foot 236 is carried by the arm 237 which is pivoted at 238 to the guide casting 239. Mounted within the guide casting 239 for slidable movement is a slide 240 which 'in turn carries a block 241 which has adjustably afiixed thereto the rod 235. As best shown in Fig. 4, the rod 235 is provided with a slot 242 therein and a lock screw 243 projects into the slotfrom the block 241 (Fig. 11). Adjustment of the rod 235'is eflected by moving the adjustment bolt 244 threaded within the ear 245 which is carried by the block 241, the bolt 244 bearing against an ear 246-on the rod 235. The presser foot 236 is urged presser foot.

downwardly by a spring 247 so that as the push rod 235 moves the spring S towards the spreaders 218 and 219, the spring is held against the guide plate 231, as best shown in Fig. 7. During this movement one coil 234 of the spring isinitially engaged within the long groove 232 and as the spring is moved under the presser foot 236 the other coil 248 is movedinto the shorter groove 243.

As soon as the spring which, as best shown in Fig. 19, extends downwardly to a greater extent at the coil 234 than'at the other coil 248, enters the short groove 233, proper alignment is insured as it is movedunder the Further movement of the spring into the position shown in Fig'. 8 initiates the expansion of the spring as the convolutions of the spring are forced up the inclined faces 250 and 251 (Fig. 8). As the end of the rod approaches the spreaders 218'and 219, the spreaders are moved apart and further movement of the spring by the push rod will snap the tails 252 and 253 of the springs into position in the grooves 254and 255 of the pin (Fig. 9). It will be noted that the spring'spreaders 218 and 219 are provided with rearwardly extending tails 256 and 257 which overhang the ends of the pin and insure the passage of the tails 252 and 253 of the spring onto the pin. It will be noted that the present device is also provided with an additional presser foot 258 which is carried by an arm 259 which is pivoted at 260. The arm 259 is pivotally connected at 261 to a link 262 which is connected by the slot 263 and pin 264 to the lever 265. The lever 265 is .pivotally supported at 266 and is provided with a tail 267.

The rod 235, as previously described, is adjustably carried by the block 241 which in turn is riveted to the slide 240. The block 241 is provided with a downwardly depending lug or ear 268 which receives a pivot pin 269 pivotally connected to the rod 270 which is reciprocated by the eccentric 271. The pivot pin 269 is provided with a projection 272 which, as shown in Figs.

7 and 12, supports the tail 267 and the lever 265 and at this time forces the presser foot 258 against the spring S.

, When the rod 235 is in a forward position, as shown in Fig. 8, the pin has moved beyond the tail 267 and allowed the tail to drop so that the presser foot is lifted upwardly allowing a spring S to drop in the position to be fed. The spring 273 serves to actuate the presser foot and accompanying lever structure.

The drive mechanism with the drive shaft 186, previously described.

A second pinion 287 rotatable with the gear 286 drives the gear 288 which in; turn drives the shaft 37, previously described. On the shaft 186' there is provided a cam gear 187, previously described, which serves to drive the wire forming mechanism so that the wire forming mechanism provides the springs S in timed relation and proper coordination with the pin assembly supplying means (see also Fig. 15).

The shaft 37 drives the shaft 73 through the bevel gears 74 and 75. Similarly, the shaft 186 drives the shaft 183 through the bevel gears and 184.

The shaft 73 drives the cam 59 which serves to operate the slide 45 for moving the blanks longitudinally of the table 14 and through the saws. The cam 72 serves to lift and lower rail 46' through the rod 64 so as to lift and lower the push plate 48. The shaft 37 drives the cams 36, 126 and 110, the cam 36 serving to operate the transfer mechanism pin including the pin blank contacting portions 27 and 40. This serves to move the blanks from the magazine 15 into the path of the pusher member .with the remainder of the machine.

for movement through the saw. The cams126and1l0, as previously described, operate the transfer mechanism for moving the sawn blanks transversely of the table 14 and feeds these blanks to the conveyor 136. The con ceyor 1'36 moves thepiu assemblied in separated relation to the assembling mechanism to the assembly point where they are assembled with the springs'as justpreviously described. 5

T he wire bending mechanism shown in Fig. and indicated at 350 and351.' The legs serve to support a bed plate 352 which-in turn carriesa plurality of bearings of which the bearings 353 and 354 serve to support for rotation'a main drive shaft 355 which carries a drive gear 356 which meshes with and is driven by the gear 187 on the drive shaft 186 so that the wire bending mechanism is driven in synchronism The main drive shaftfor the wireben'ding mechanism 355 is provided at each end with a bevel gear, these gearsbeing indicated by the reference numerals 357and 358. The bevel gear I 357 meshes with and drives a bevel gear 359 supported by and rotatable with a shaft 360 which is supportedby the bearings 361 and 362from bed plate 352. The shaft 360 carries atits end remote from the bevel gear 359 second bevel gear 363 which meshes with and drives a bevel gear 364which in turndrives the'shaft 36 5 sup ported from the bed plate 352 by bearings 366iand 367. The second bevel gear 358 upon the main drive shaft 355 meshes with and drives a bevel gear 368 which in turn rotates a shaft 369 supported by the bearings 370 and 371 from the bed plate 352.

The'main drive shaft 355 is provided with a feeder.

drive gear 372 which is rotatable with the drive shaft 6 i being provided with cam faces 409 and 410 and with bendingpins 411 and 412.

The cross-head 400 is mounted On the. slide 413 which is slidably mounted within a groove 414 in the bed plate- 352. The slide 413 is provided with a pin 415 which cooperates witha groove 416 in the cam. 417 mounted for rotation with the, shaft 369. Gears 407 and 408, as previously described, are urged outwardly by the springs 405 and406. This outward and inward movement of the gears 407 and 408 is necessary in order to permit the release of the wire in final bent form, as will be hereinafter set forth. An additional movement, however, of the slide 413 towardthe wire will move the gears and the cam faces 409 and 410 and bend the wire into the position shown in Fig. 30, at which time the gears will also move inwardly against the force of the springs 405 and 406. This movement is effected by the push members 418 and 419. The member 418 is mounted upon a slide 420 which is siidably mounted in a guide groove within the surface of the bed plate 352. The push memher 418 is provided with a downwardly extending tail 421 which is pivotally connected at 422 to a link 423 in turn as shown, for example, in Fig..27, will correspondingly move the pushmember 418 to the left and the push member 419 to the right thus moving the gears 407 and (see Fig. 27) The feeder drive gear 372 meshes with and drives a gear 373 carried upon a stub shaft 374 which is rotatable in and supported by the bearing 375 supported by the hanger 376 from the bed plate 352. Extending from the face of the gear 373 is a pivot pin 377 having journalled 'thereabout a collar 378 attached to the rod 379 so that upon inovement of the gear 373 the rod is given a reciprocating movement. The rod 379 is pivoted asflby the pivot 380 to the lever 3iihwhich is pivotally supported M302. from the arm 383', in turn supported by .thebed plate 352. The end of the lever 381 remote from the pivot 38-2 is pivotally connectedat 304 to th e rod 385. The rod 385 serves to move a friction feeding de vice for feeding the wire .306. The friction feeding mechanism includes a wire gripping dog 387 which, aided by. the jaw 388, serves to grip the wire uponforward movemerit along the guideway 389. The dog 387 is pivoted on the pivot 390 and is urged by the spring 391 out of gripping position and during reaiward'movement of the friction feeding mechanism, the dog is permitted to pivot clockwise about the pivot 390 to release thewire. Upon forward movement, however, ,th'edog 387 is urged into wire gripping position by the action of the nose 392.

During the feeding movement the wireis kept under tension and straightened by the wire straightening .rolls indicated at 393. These rolls are suitably supported by. the arm 394. Aftera suitable length of. wireis fed at each forward movement, the Wire is cut by a sliding knife 395 mountedupon a block 396 and driven from a cut-off cam 39'! which is mounted for rotation with the shaft 369. ,The forward portion of the wire 386 just prior to being cut oifis positioned in the slot 398 formed in thebar 399 carried by thecross-head 400. The crosshead 400 also supports a pairof arms 401 and 402 pivoted .to the cross-head on the pivots 403 and404, respectively, and urged outwardly by the springs 405 and 406. The ends of the arms 401 and 402 eachqpiyotally support the gears .407 and 408,,r'espectively, .theselgears 403. inwardly. I p

Forward movement of the slide 413 will carry the pins 411 and 412 into engagement with the wire in the positi nv shown in Figs. 30, 31 and 32. The slide 420 is moved by a cam 427 which is mounted to rotate withthegear 372. The lower portion of the gear 407 meshes with the rack 428 andthe top of the gear 408 meshes withthe rack 429. The racks428 and 429 are carried by the slide 430 which is. mounted for sliding movement within a groove in the bed plate 352 and is driven by the cam 431 mounted to rotate with the shaft 350. Movement of the slide 430 to the right as shown in Fig. 29 will rotate the gear 407 counterclockwise and the gear 408 clockwise, correspondby Figs. 29 and 30 and the diagrammatic views 34 and 35.

After the spiral is formed, as shown in Figs. 35 and' 26, apair of tails 252 and 253 are formed at the free ends of the wire by the slides 432 and 433. The slide 432 is moved inwardly to perform the bending operation by the cam groove 434 formed within the drive gear 356 and the slide 433 is moved by-the cam. groove 435 within the cam 436 which is mounted to rotate with the shaft 365. After the spring is formed, as shown in Fig. 33, about post 230, the gears 407 and 408 are released by the pusher members 418 and 419 and are permitted to move outwardly under the influence of springs 405 and I 406. Thereafter, the retracting movement of the crosshead 400 moves the groove 398 away from the finished spring so that the spring is now free to slide down the post'for assembly with the remainder of the clothes pin, This feeding movement of the springis insured by, the action of the stripper nose437 which is moved downwardly at this time by the slide 438 journalled in the standard 439. The slide 430 is moved by the link 440, carried by the head 441 which is slidably movable upon the rod 442. The head 441 is moved by the bell-crank lever 443 which is pivotally mounted at 444 upon the standard-445 and is provided with a pin446 which moves in a cam groove 447 within the cam 448 which is rotatable with the shaft 360. The bell-crank lever 443 is connected to the head 441 as by the slot 449 and pin 450 (see Fig. 28). 1 i 

